Competition Events and Host Cities for the Kansai World Masters Games 2021 Determined

The World Masters Games is an international multi-sport event for lifelong sports, held every four years by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA). Participation is open to anyone aged 30 or older. The first Games were held in Toronto, Canada, in 1985. The Kansai Games, the first in Asia, will run for 16 days from May 15 to 30, 2021. They will feature 32 sports and 55 events, including athletics, canoeing, and cycling, held across the Kansai region's two prefectural governments, four prefectures, four government-designated cities, and the prefectures of Tottori and Tokushima. The opening ceremony will be held in Kyoto City, and the closing ceremony in Osaka City. The event aims to attract 50,000 participants from Japan and abroad.

At the General Assembly, Mr. Toshizo Ido, Chairman of the Organizing Committee (Chairman of the Kansai Regional Federation and Governor of Hyogo Prefecture), stated: "This year is an Olympic year. Japanese athletes won many medals, demonstrating the beauty and joy of sports. For the 2021 Kansai World Masters Games, we want to create an event where we ourselves experience this very excellence of sport." He emphasized his determination to accelerate preparations underway across the region. Co-Chairman Shosuke Mori (Chairman of the Kansai Economic Federation) stated, "As the 10th edition and the first in Asia, we aim to make this a world-class event we can be proud of. We also believe it is essential to collaborate closely with the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games held the previous year." Honorary Chairman Yoshiro Mori added, "2019 brought the Rugby World Cup, 2020 will bring the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and 2021 will bring the Kansai World Masters Games. Japan's role, Kansai's role, is significant. Sport possesses tremendous energy to change people and change the world. I hope this becomes a catalyst for Kansai as a whole to make a great leap forward."

Following the unveiling of the host city board by representatives from the Organizing Committee and the host city, Mr. Daichi Suzuki, Honorary Advisor to the Organizing Committee and Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency, and Mr. Sō Takei, a talent serving as a Support Ambassador, took the stage. Each expressed their anticipation for the Games.

Details on the events and venues can be found on the tournament website ( http://www.wmg2021.jp/venue.html ).